Rufus Wayne Roark

Rufus Wayne Roark, age 95 of Graham, Texas, died peacefully on October 30, 2018, at 9:40 a.m. in McKinney, Texas, at his home. The funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas, on November 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. His interment will be at the Pioneer Cemetery with full military honors. The service will be under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home, assisted by the Graham National Reserves, officiated by Rev. Richard Segars, and Rev. Jerry Blake.

Wayne Roark was born on September 29, 1923, at his family home near Bunger, Texas, to George Ross and Ola (McLemore) Roark. He married Oleta (Cox) Roark on August 31, 1947, in the “old” First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas, where they first met.

Wayne was a long-time active member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent, and a Sunday School teacher. Music was an integral part of Wayne’s life and he sang in the Celebration Choir, the men’s ensemble, New Ground, and other various groups around Graham.

Wayne served in the Navy during World War II and was a torpedoman aboard the submarine, the USS Barb, from 1943 to 1946. He was a retired sales engineer for Lindsay’s Air Conditioning Company, as well as he sold real estate for several years before retiring. He served as the president of the Kiwanis Club, coached little league baseball, and was active in various other community groups and projects.

Wayne was a loving husband and father who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Oleta Roark of McKinney, Texas; son, Mack Roark of Burlington, Vermont; son and daughter-in-law, Ross & Kathy Roark of McKinney, Texas; a grandson, Hunter Roark, and a granddaughter, Harper Roark, of McKinney, Texas; a sister-in-law, Betty Roark, of Fort Worth, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, J.O. Roark and Barney Roark, and a son, Scott Roark.

Memorials may be made to the music ministry of the First Baptist Church, 623 3rd Street, Graham, TX 76450, or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at Morrison Funeral Home on Friday, November 2, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m.